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Article: The Mainie Story: A unique melding of authentic Aboriginal art and luxurious fashion

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The Mainie Story: A unique melding of authentic Aboriginal art and luxurious fashion

 

Mainie brings together the world’s oldest unbroken art traditions and the finest fashion textiles including pure silk, super-soft Woolmark Australian Merino wool and vegan-friendly Modal to create a distinctively Australian fashion story.

The Mainie signature collection comprises beautifully handcrafted wool scarves, silk scarves and kaftan tops. Each piece is lovingly created to be a timeless and meaningful celebration of Australia’s 60,000-year-old Indigenous cultural heritage.

Featuring intricate and colourful art designs that were originally hand painted by traditional Aboriginal women artists from some of the most remote and isolated desert communities in the heart of the Australian Outback, every Mainie is destined to become a treasured heirloom that will be loved and cherished forever.

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Mainie embraces fair trade ethics and is committed to supporting Aboriginal women artists to earn an independent income from their own work and to keep alive the ancient Dreamtime stories that have been handed on to them through many generations of their ancestors over tens of thousands of years.  

Every piece in the Mainie fashion collection is presented with the provenance of the original artwork and the Aboriginal artist’s story.

All artwork designs in the Mainie collection have been ethically acquired from Aboriginal owned, community-based art centres and reproduced under licence in accordance with the Indigenous Art Code. Royalties are paid to the Aboriginal artists and their families.

aboriginal art australian fashion ethical brand

 

Every Mainie we make gives back to the Aboriginal woman artist who created the original design, to elevate and empower her, her family and her community.

Charmaine Saunders - Mainie Founder

Mainie is a Supply Nation verified Indigenous owned business and an Indigenous Art Code approved dealer member.

Mainie is the exclusive official provider of Indigenous fashion and apparel to the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, now due to open from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022.

Learn more about the Mainie fashion story at https://www.mainie.com.au

Mainie Australia Indigenous Art Code Supply Nation

Written by Rebecca Nelson

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Customer Reviews

Mainie is a brand I proudly wear for so many reasons. I love that each scarf has a story and that I know with each piece funds go back to the woman that designed it. I adore the vibrancy of the colours and the high quality, I have had my scarves for many years now and they are so versatile from wearing them to do presentations or going out for lunch. I stand for empowering women and standing proud in your individuality and Mainie embodies this in every way.

Lesley Clarke

Our Mainie scarves have become an essential wardrobe component both at home and when travelling. They serve to elevate any outfit whilst also celebrating Australian First Nations culture with dignity and sophistication. The silk product is beautiful to wear and the merino wool is unbelievable soft and so warm. Lightweight, easy to pack and always commented on.

Tanya, Emily and Elizabeth

I love the Mainie Scarves, for myself and as the perfect gift. They are investment pieces that will be part of your wardrobe for life. I love travel and one or two scarves are always included in my luggage. They are perfect on the plane and for dressing up outfits. I take a Merino scarf for cooler climates and silk ones everywhere else. However, the very best part is the ethical basis of the brand. I know I support a woman artist from a First Nations community when I purchase something from Mainie. They look good and do good at the same time.

Jo Pyne

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OUR PLEDGE

Preserving our natural environment for a healthier planet

Founded by Gunggari Aboriginal woman Charmaine Saunders in 2012, Mainie is a Supply Nation certified Indigenous Australian-owned company and an Indigenous Art Code approved dealer member. We recognise the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We respect the resilience, strength and pride of Australia’s First Nations people and their communities. Mainie is committed to supporting Aboriginal women artists to earn an independent income from their own work and to keep alive their traditional cultural heritage for future generations.